Darts Drama 2025: Littler's Rollercoaster Ride as Bunting Finally Breaks Through

By Lewis Barnett 10 April, 2025 5 mins read 247 Views

God. Premier League Darts is already NINE weeks deep, and I'm still recovering from last Thursday's shocker when Bunting finally got his hands on some silverware. Nobody saw that coming - least of all me after dropping £50 on a Price win. My wallet's still sulking.

The whole Premier League circus kicked off back in February with our teenage phenom Luke Littler strutting in with some extra hardware. Not just any trophy either - the kid's now officially world champ after taking down MVG at Ally Pally in January. Still can't believe I was there, three pints deep, screaming myself hoarse while my girlfriend pretended not to know me.

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The "I Can't Believe This Is Happening" Moment

Night Nine in Berlin was when things got weird. MVG withdrew (something about his back, though my mate who works security swears it was food poisoning), giving Price a free pass to the semis. Then Bunting - who'd been about as threatening as a sleepy labrador for most of the season - suddenly turned into a dart-throwing machine. He dismantled Humphries 6-2 in the semis, which had me checking if I'd accidentally switched to some parallel universe channel.

The final against Price was proper edge-of-your-seat stuff. Bunting clinched it 6-5, and teh look on his face... pure disbelief. Like he'd just found out he'd won the lottery while simultaneously being told he was actually adopted.

Littler, meanwhile, got bounced by Dobey in the quarters. Didn't see that coming either.

What the hell happened in the first 8 weeks?

If you've been living under a rock (or worse, watching golf), here's your catch-up. The opening night saw Humphries bulldoze Dobey 6-1 in the final. Week Two, Littler got his revenge against Humphries with a nail-biting 6-5 win that had me spilling my nachos all over my new sofa. Still finding cheese in the cushions.

Week Three belonged to Price, who seemed to have found his 2021 form again.

By Week Eight in Newcastle, Littler was back on top, absolutely DESTROYING Humphries 6-1 in a final that was about as competitive as me racing my 83-year-old grandmother. (She won, by the way. I tripped over a garden gnome. Don't ask.)

So how does this whole circus actually work?

Eight players. Sixteen regular nights. One finals night where dreams come true or get crushed into tiny little pieces.

Each Thursday, they play a mini-tournament. Winner gets 5 points, runner-up gets 3, and the semi-finalists who crash and burn each get 2 points for their troubles. After 16 grueling weeks, the top four in the standings drag themselves to London's O2 for the grand finale on May 29th.

My prediction? Littler, Humphries, Price, and... probably MVG if his back/stomach/whatever actually recovers. Though Bunting might have something to say about that now.

Where can you watch this madness unfold?

Sky Sports has it all locked down. If you've got a subscription, you're golden - stream it on your phone while pretending to work late. I've been doing it for years and my boss still hasn't caught on. Or maybe he has and just feels sorry for me.

No Sky? The Sun's got a live blog that's actually decent. I checked it during my cousin's wedding when I couldn't get reception for the stream. Worth a look.

What's coming next? (Spoiler: more darts)

Manchester hosts Night Ten tomorrow. Littler vs Price is the match everyone's talking about - two egos that barely fit on the same stage. Last time they met, Price won, adn Littler looked like someone had stolen his favorite toy.

After that, we're off to Rotterdam where MVG will have the home crowd advantage. Back in 2019, I made the trip over with some mates... ended up losing my passport and sleeping in a train station. Dutch police are surprisingly understanding, as it turns out.

Listen. If you've never been to a darts night, you're missing out on one of life's great pleasures. It's like a rock concert where occasionally someone throws a pointy object at a circular board. Pure theater.

I'll be there in Sheffield for Night 16. Look for the idiot in the Luke Littler costume that's two sizes too small.

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the difference between steel tip and soft tip darts?

Steel tip and soft tip darts represent two distinct branches of the sport, each with their own equipment, venues, and sometimes even scoring systems. The most obvious difference is in the point: steel tips have metal points for traditional bristle boards, while soft tips use flexible plastic points for electronic boards.

What weight darts should beginners use?

For beginners, I generally recommend starting with medium-weight darts between 21-24 grams. This range offers enough heft to fly straight without requiring too much force, but isn't so heavy that it becomes tiring during longer practice sessions.

What's the standard height for hanging a dartboard?

The standard height for a dartboard is 5 feet 8 inches (173 cm) from the floor to the bullseye. This measurement is official across professional darts organizations worldwide, including the PDC and BDO. It's designed to create a fair playing field for players of different heights.

Is it worth spending more money on expensive darts?

The question of dart investment really depends on your commitment level and budget. You don't need to spend a fortune, but there's definitely a quality threshold worth crossing.

How do I improve my dart throwing technique?

Improving your dart technique comes down to consistency and deliberate practice. First, establish a comfortable stance—feet shoulder-width apart, with your dominant foot slightly forward. Your weight should be balanced and stable, not leaning forward or back.

How far should I stand from the dartboard?

The official throwing distance is 7 feet 9¼ inches (2.37 meters) measured from the face of the board to the oche (throwing line). In American darts, this distance is sometimes 8 feet, so check local rules if you're playing in the States.

Statistics

A professional dart weighs between 18-50 grams, with most players preferring 21-24 gram darts.
The standard height from the floor to the bullseye on a dartboard is 5 feet 8 inches (1.73 meters).
The first televised nine-dart finish was thrown by John Lowe in 1984, earning him £102,000.
The Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) World Championship has been held since 1994, with Phil Taylor winning a record 14 titles.
The World Darts Championship prize fund exceeded £2.5 million in 2023, with the champion receiving £500,000.
Phil Taylor has hit a record 22 televised nine-dart finishes throughout his professional career.
A perfect leg of 501 can be completed in nine darts, known in the sport as a "nine-darter."
The dartboard wire system known as "razor wire" reduced bounce-outs by approximately 60% when introduced.

External Links

How To

Setting Up Your Practice Space

The official height for a dartboard is 5 feet 8 inches from the floor to the bullseye. The throwing line (oche) should be 7 feet 9¼ inches from the face of the board. I used to have mine hung too low and wondered why my game never improved at the pub! Measuring tape is your friend here.